Masseter Muscle
Musculus masseter is the Latin pronunciation for Masseter Muscle. It is one of the muscles of Mastication. Masseter muscle is the most prominent, strongest and superficial muscle for mastication.
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Omohyoid Muscle Trapezius Muscle Masseter Muscle Orbicularis Oris Muscle Mentalis Muscle Depressor Labii Inferioris Muscle Depressor Anguli Oris Muscle Buccinator Muscle Zygomaticus Major Muscle Zygomaticus Minor Muscle Levator Labii Superioris Muscle Temporal Muscle Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Frontalis Muscle
Masseter Muscle
Masseter muscle is thick and a little quadrilateral in shape. It has two heads whose fibers are continuous at their end. The two heads are as follows. Superficial Head Deep Head Superficial Head is larger in size. It arises from the Zygomatic Process (protrusion from rest of Skull) of the Maxilla (upper portion of mouth) by thick Aponeuroses (layers of flat wide tendons). It also originates from the inferior side of the Zygomatic Arch (Cheek bone). The fibers of this head ends in the angle of Mandible and lateral surface of Ramus of Mandible (perpendicular portion). Deep head is smaller and has more muscular texture than the Superficial Head. It originates from the lower border and medial surface of the Zygomatic Arch. Its fibers end in the upper half of the Ramus and the lateral side of Coronoid Process (triangular eminence flat from sides) of Mandible. Deep head is concealed by the Superficial Head and is covered with Parotid Gland (salivary gland).
Masseter Muscle, along with other muscles of Mastication, receives its innervations from the Mandibular Division (V3) of Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve).
The main function of Masseter Muscle is to contract and raise the Lower Jaw. Rising of Mandible occurs in the course of jaws closing.
The most common problem associated with Masseter muscle is its enlargement caused by habitual grinding or clenching of teeth and chewing of gum.
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